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[Creamsteak]

GaryH, these are the things I've plucked from the (now unstuck) pbp Etiquette Guide. Now we need to prune some of these (I already removed a couple, obviously), clean up the wording, and condense any similar points. Then I think we should tag it on as a little side-bar for the FAQ.
Compiled List of Etiquette Suggestions
1. Always let people know when you're going to be unavailable for posting.
2. Always follow the rules the GM gives out, even if you don't agree. Its okay to tell the GM that, but in the end it is the GM's game and her/his final decision. If you don't like it, don't play it.
3. Resolve player disputes in email and do not post them on the boards. Basically if you don't have something nice/polite to say, don't say it. Its okay to disagree and criticize.
4. Be careful of the language you use. What may seem ok to you maybe be offensive to someone else. Keep in mind that this is a multicultural community. My suggestion is to keep it as neutral as possible unless you know the person and know it is ok for them.
5. Refrain from personal attacks...even if you try to do it subtly.
6. allow time for the other players to post, keep in mind the flow of the game. Problems can flare up when people post a second time before the other players have a chance to respond
7. Editing of posts: be upfront and discuss the rules of your game as far as editing posts. Be sure you posted what you want to, editing grammar and adding explinations is ok, but you should do it before other people post. Once others have posted their responses to your actions, changing what you do WILL screw up the continuity of the game. Once you edit, others will have to edit theirs, forcing others to edit their's. Its a big headache that can be solved by looking over your post and being sure about it before you click submit.
8. If you can no longer devote the time to games that you once could, be honest, let people know. Slowing peoples games by posting infrequently affects everyone in the game, not just you. Be honest, and don't ruin things for other people. Its better to leave a game if you post infrequently then ruin it for others.
9. Common courtesy: Remember, in every game there are more people involved then just you. You need to respect the time they put into the game and be mindful of how what you do can affect the fun of others. Not everyone has a ton of time to invest, and they maybe putting it all in one game. Ruining a game not only ruins it for you, it ruins it for others as well, and if thats their only game...
10. Remember, people can have different perspectives in a thread. So, try to respect the opinions of those who disagree with you or who may be playing an opposing faction in a game.
11. Remember, people are NOT who they play, don't take IC actions personally, and do not apply OOC emotions to IC posts. Look, we are all rolepayers here, we are all mature enough to know that just because my character hates your character, it doesn't mean that I hate you. Keep your emotion, and that of your characters seperate.
12. Remember, we are here to have fun. So, try not to ruin someone else's enjoyment of a game. Try to make the game enjoyable for everyone in it.
13. Remember that in real life, people may come from very different gaming groups / traditions than you do. Consider trying other takes on gaming - you might find a whole new world of role-playing goodness!
14) Don't be too bossy of player. Nobody likes a spotlight-hog.
When you find your character taking the fore-front of almost every scene they're in, think twice before dominating yet another scene.
15) If you DM other games... PLEASE take it upon yourself to ratchet back in the games where you are only a player. Take cues from other players sometimes, and above all else, Follow the DM's Lead!
16) Don't base a character in a game on your own looks, or your own RL background, or your own RL experiences, unless you are danged sure not to take things personally about that character.
It sets a way-dangerous precedent to have players over-identifying with their character in-game.
17) Stay the Course:
It's better to post regularly, over the long haul, perhaps only a handful of times a week, and stay in character, and 'in the scene', than to post a ton, pushing the action past a comfortable speed, pushing out other players.
18) Make sure that when you join a game, there's no other character already in it that you are stepping on the toes of.
Each character should probably stake out its own turf, and not have other players infringing on its specialties.
For example, if you're going to be playing a cleric, at least make sure it's not of the same diety as someone else's, or don't have the same interests and skills as the other guy's.
19) Don't make a character that has a blood hatred of another character (elf hating half-orc), and then have a problem when there's problems between the two.
20) Don't drag your IC buddies from game to game with you.
Each game should try to have a different mix of players - what's the point of playing with the same people over and over again?
Plus, you risk making a hegemony within the game (in other words, a clique of players), who hedge other players out, and force sides to be taken.
21) Differing opinions are an absolute certainty in games.
WHEN (not if) they occur, do everyone a favor, and don't escalate them whenever you can.
Make sure not to post right after reading the other post.
Make sure you read the post at least 3 times, to be sure you are reading what they've written, instead of reading what you think you're seeing, and having your brain fill in other, harsher details than what are intended.
Always ask yourself : is there another way this sentence could have been intended?
22) When length starts to become an issue with threads, contact a moderator to have the old thread closed, and open a new thread.
23) We're all equal on the boards. No one is better than another so don't be afraid to speak up (respectfully) to your DM when something bothers you. Keep in mind that you might not always get what you want, but never be afraid to let whatever bothers you be known. Its always unhealthy to let it simmer and who knows? Maybe it will work out, after all misunderstandings can't be resolved with silence.